Chương Chương 119 · How Sir Launcelot came to King Arthur’s Court, and how

. How Sir Launcelot came to King Arthur’s Court, and how

there were recounted all his noble feats and acts.

Now turn we unto Sir Launcelot du Lake, that came home two days afore

the Feast of Pentecost; and the king and all the court were passing

fain of his coming. And when Sir Gawaine, Sir Uwaine, Sir Sagramore,

Sir Ector de Maris, saw Sir Launcelot in Kay’s armour, then they wist

well it was he that smote them down all with one spear. Then there was

laughing and smiling among them. And ever now and now came all the

knights home that Sir Turquine had prisoners, and they all honoured and

worshipped Sir Launcelot.

When Sir Gaheris heard them speak, he said, I saw all the battle from

the beginning to the ending, and there he told King Arthur all how it

was, and how Sir Turquine was the strongest knight that ever he saw

except Sir Launcelot: there were many knights bare him record, nigh

three score. Then Sir Kay told the king how Sir Launcelot had rescued

him when he should have been slain, and how he made the knights yield

them to me, and not to him. And there they were all three, and bare

record. And by Jesu, said Sir Kay, because Sir Launcelot took my

harness and left me his I rode in good peace, and no man would have ado

with me.

Anon therewithal there came the three knights that fought with Sir

Launcelot at the long bridge. And there they yielded them unto Sir Kay,

and Sir Kay forsook them and said he fought never with them. But I

shall ease your heart, said Sir Kay, yonder is Sir Launcelot that

overcame you. When they wist that they were glad. And then Sir Meliot

de Logres came home, and told the king how Sir Launcelot had saved him

from the death. And all his deeds were known, how four queens,

sorceresses, had him in prison, and how he was delivered by King

Bagdemagus’ daughter. Also there were told all the great deeds of arms

that Sir Launcelot did betwixt the two kings, that is for to say the

King of Northgalis and King Bagdemagus. All the truth Sir Gahalantine

did tell, and Sir Mador de la Porte and Sir Mordred, for they were at

that same tournament. Then came in the lady that knew Sir Launcelot

when that he wounded Sir Belleus at the pavilion. And there, at request

of Sir Launcelot, Sir Belleus was made knight of the Round Table. And

so at that time Sir Launcelot had the greatest name of any knight of

the world, and most he was honoured of high and low.

Explicit the noble tale of Sir Launcelot du Lake, which is the vi.

book. Here followeth the tale of Sir Gareth of Orkney that was called

Beaumains by Sir Kay, and is the seventh book.

BOOK VII.